^ 162 



in diameter, and of the shape of a pear, or it 

 may more properly be compared to a small fleshy 

 purse, of nearly a conical form, filled with salt 

 water ; it is of a red colour, and is furnished on 

 the upper part with two very short trunks, one of 

 which serves for a mouth, the other as an anus. 

 Between these are two sliining black points 

 which I suppose are the eyes. On the strictest 

 examination 1 have not been able to discover any 

 organs or intestines separate from the flesh com- 

 posing the body of this animal, which is smooth 

 on the outside, and within mammiform. It is 

 not, however, destitute of sensibility, as, on 

 being touched or drawn from its cell, it eject* 

 with violence from both trunks the water which 

 it contains. Several of tlicsc animals live to- 

 gether in a kind of coriaceous hive ; this is of 

 a different form in diflerent places, and appears 

 to be completely closed on the outside, but with- 

 in is divided into ten or more cells by means of 

 strong membranes. Each individual has his 

 separate cell, where he lives a recluse life with- 

 out any visible communication with his compa- 

 nions, and in which he is compelled to remain, 

 though there is no perceptible ligament that at- 

 taches him to it. From this circumstance it 

 may fairly be presumed that these animals are 

 hermaphrodites of the first species, or such a^ 

 produce their like without coupling. 



The hives, which serve as habitations for 



